The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), a Registered Society under the Ministry of Irrigation (now Ministry of Water Resourcess) was set up in the year 1982 to carry out detailed studies, surveys and investigations in respect of Peninsular Component of National Perspective for Water Resources Development. The Government subsequently modified the functions of NWDA to include the Himalayan Component of National Perspective for Water Resources Development on 11^th March, 1994 and composition of Society and Governing Body on 13^th Feb. 2003 & 12^th March, 2004. In 2006, it was decided that NWDA will explore the feasibility of linking sub-basins of rivers in States like Bihar. It was decided that NWDA will also take up the work for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Ken-Betwa link, which is one of the priority links under Peninsular Component of National Perspective Plan.To enable National Water Development Agency to undertake above activities, its functions were modified on 30^th Nov., 2006.The functions of NWDA were further modified MoWR resolution dated 19^th May, 2011 to undertake the work of preparation of DPRs of intra-State links also by NWDA. The functions of NWDA were further modified MoWR resolution dated 7^th Oct, 2016 to undertake implementation of ILR projects and completion of water resources projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) and to act as a repository of borrowed fund or loan from Banks/other institutions for the execution of projects.